Hakuba Valley is at the heart of the spectacular Japanese Alps. There are ten ski resorts in the area, including the popular Hakuba 47, Goryu Toomi and Happo One, with approximately 200 ski runs to suit everyone. Hakuba has a reputation for great powder snow, quality accommodation and relaxing hot springs. Whilst there, visit the Olympic ski jump, try snow tubing, heli-skiing, back-country and Nordic skiing.
Getting to the resort
• Direct bus - SkiJapan.com can organise a direct shared shuttle service from Narita Airport to your Hakuba accommodation. This option is slightly more expensive, however great value for its convenience.
• Train - Nagano Station is located approximately a 1 hour bus ride from Hakuba.
• Nagano is easily reached by Shinkansen (the bullet train) from downtown Tokyo, taking only 1 hour and 40minutes. If travelling from Narita Airport, you will need to add a further 1 hour to the journey.
Discount rail passes are available to international guests. The pass will cover return travel between Tokyo Airports, Tokyo and Nagano Station. SkiJapan.com will provide their guests with all the transfer information required for the trip, including train arrival and departure times, station information and hotel pick up details.
SkiJapan.com will provide their guests with all the transfer information required for the trip, including train arrival and departure times, station information and hotel pick up details.
| GETTING TO HAKUBA FROM | APPROX TIME |
| Catch the Narita Express to | 1 hr |
| Change trains at | 1 hr 50 mins |
| After alighting at | 1 hr |
| Private accommodation pickups available once at Hakuba Bus depot. |
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The resorts recommended by SkiJapan.com are as follows:
Happo-One
Happo-One was is famous for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics and the World Cup skiing events. The location was chosen as the resort provides some of the best skiing conditions and huge snowfalls in Japan. Happo-One has a massive 8,000 meter long slope and is therefore one of the largest resorts with the longest vertical pitches in all of Japan. The scenery is simply breath taking as the resort is surrounded by surrounded by 3,000 meter high peaks.
Hakuba 47 & Goryu Toomi
Hakuba 47 and Goryu Toomi are interlinked resorts and lie side by side. Both resorts are known for consistent powder and great snow suitable for both skiers and boarders of any standard. Hakuba 47 has terrain more suitable for the advanced skiers and boarders with steep long, fast runs and an excellent terrain park, halfpipe and boardercross course. The terrain at Goryu Toomi is mainly beginner and intermediate with long, wide trails and a more gentle slope.
Night skiing is open at Goryu until 10pm.
The 2 resorts are probably the most modern in the Hakuba region
The Village
Hakuba Village falls at the bottom of the many interlinked resorts. The village itself is fairly large and has a number of different centres. Therefore you will never be short of something to do as there are many tour operators organising activities such as snow tubing, heli-skiing, back-country and Nordic skiing.The town is also renowned for its great nightlife and has a wide choice of Japanese and western restaurants, bars and several nightclubs suitable just about anyone.
Onsens (Japanese Hot Springs)
In all areas of Japan - Onsens are very popular. Hakuba is no exception with a large number of public onsens throughout the village (Check village map for details) Most Hotels also have there own private onsen or Japanese style communal bathing area which is always a great way to relax after a hard day on the slopes.
Resort Transport
The nightly village shuttle operates from mid afternoon to 11pm through the Hakuba village providing access to restaurants, bars, supermarkets and shopping areas. A complimentary shuttle service operates from various hotels and bus stops in Hakuba. Shuttles run to/from Hakuba 47, Hakuba Goryu and Iwatake. There is also a public bus service that operates through the valley, providing access to all of the ski resorts. A return trip costs 500 yen.
